Northern Pacific (2013) Board Game

Northern Pacific is a board game that was released in 2013 and designed by James M. Davis. It falls under the category of train games and is published by Rio Grande Games and Winsome Games. The game is designed for 2-6 players and has a playing time of around 60 minutes. Players take on the role of investors in the Northern Pacific Railroad and compete to build the most profitable rail network.

Game Components of Northern Pacific

Game board depicting the Northern Pacific Railroad network

Train tokens representing different companies

Stock certificates for each company

Money tokens

Action cards

Rulebook

How To Setup Northern Pacific

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the train tokens and place them in a supply area.

Give each player starting money tokens.

Shuffle the action cards and place them face down.

Place the stock certificates in a supply area.

Determine a starting player and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Northern Pacific, players take turns investing in different companies, building railroads, and collecting profits. The game revolves around commodity speculation, network and route building, and score-and-reset mechanics. The objective is to have the most valuable stock portfolio by the end of the game.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging gameplay with strategic depth

Easy to learn rules and mechanics

Replayability with different player counts

Beautiful artwork and components

Cons:

Can be overwhelming for new players

Luck plays a factor in card draws

Limited interaction between players

Personal Thoughts on Northern Pacific

Northern Pacific is a solid train game that offers a good balance of strategy and luck. The game’s components are well-made and the artwork is visually appealing. However, the game may not be suitable for everyone, as it requires a certain level of patience and strategic thinking. The pricing and availability of the game, both new and used, can vary, so it’s worth checking different sources before making a purchase.

In terms of alternatives, fans of train games may also enjoy titles like Ticket to Ride or Age of Steam. Ultimately, whether Northern Pacific is worth your time depends on your preferences as a player. If you enjoy economic simulations and strategic gameplay, then this game may be a good fit for you. However, if you prefer more interactive and fast-paced games, you may want to skip Northern Pacific.

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